Ukrainian special forces down Russian Mi-8 helicopter with long-range drone
Illustrative photo: a Russian Mi-8 helicopter (Getty Images)
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) shot down a Russian helicopter for the first time using a long-range strike drone during a drone attack on Russia. The Russian Mi-8 was downed near Kuteynikovo in Russia's Rostov region.
The forces noted that this operation changes the rules of engagement. Ukrainian drones now target Russian helicopters deployed to intercept unmanned aircraft.
"For the first time, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in midair by a Special Operations Forces 'deep strike' drone. Each mission requires creativity, from technical specifications to planning and pilot training," the statement said.
Special Operations Forces added that the mission "left the enemy with many questions." Only the crew of the destroyed Mi-8 knows the answers.
"This mission left the enemy with many questions, the answers to which are known only to the Mi-8 crew, but they will not share them," the statement said, mocking the Russian forces.
After the strikes on Russia on the night of November 22, initial effects were reported. Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drones targeted the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region.
On the night of November 20, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the Ryazan oil refinery and other Russian targets, including an area where Russian troops were concentrated in the Donetsk region.
On the night of November 14, Ukrainian forces hit an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region. The strikes also targeted a naval base in Krasnodar Krai and a fuel storage facility near Engels.
